How many adults riding smallish ponies?

I am 44 and have 3 Icelandics so I fit into this club. Though you are always told "Icelandics are horses not ponies" but of course they are ponies ;)

I am 5'1" and 9 stone so all of mine can carry me no problem, they range in height from 13:1 to14:1 though the smallest is built like a privvy. As a breed they are strong and have huge stamina but I wouldn't let anyone over 10.5 stone ride any of them, just because they can carry more weight doesn't mean they should IMO. I couldn't care less what people think seeing me on my small hairies but I would say that wherever we go we get lots of interest and positive comments, many people have neer seen an Icelandic and generally want to know more. I also have a 16hh Irish TB who is now retired and I have to say that the people we meet out hacking seem to find me much more approachable on my small steed than they ever did with my big orange TB.

I do a bit of everything with them at riding club level. A couple of years ago I went to my first riding club jumping lesson with my little mare and I was in the novice group with three other horses, all 16hh+, two TBs and a warmblood. At the end of the lesson the instructor (a BHSI ex-eventer) did the wrap up and then walked past the three big horses and said to me "Could I possibly have a go on your pony?" She waited for the other horses to leave and then had a little canter round and popped a few jumps and came back grinning from ear to ear and said "She's a cracker, a real pocket rocket" :D

If people are similarly open minded and judge the horse in front of them rather than their pre-conceptions I am sure more people would enjoy a smaller steed :)
 
i am very jealous of all those able to ride ponies :(... Took my gran 3 years to persuade me to move onto horses.. and i reverted back to ponies 3 times! Finally ending up with a 15.1 knabstrupper x tb .. who rides like a 13.2 pony, acts like a ****land but takes me leg - just!!!

She's great fun but when she decided to play up like a pony does, it can get a little dodgey as she sometimes doesn't get away with the acrobatic movements ;) :p

I'd love my little 13.3 connie gelding back, he was great fun and we suited each other hugely - saying that, Gem's a good girl :)

Some lovely lovely ponies on here :)
 
JFTD said:
5'8 with a 14,1 highland, who does a bit of everything. Only issue is the length of my stirrups for dressage ;)

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You both look perfect together!
I worry about my 20 month old not growing big enough for me. She is 14.2hh at the moment. She is a Sports Horse X Appaloosa, but quite solid. Her father was a chunky SP 16hh and her mother was the Appy standing at 16.2hh. I weigh 14 stone so I hope she gets big enough. She has the most amazing character and will be a wonderful riding horse. I guess I compare her to my ID who is 17.1hh. I would like something a bit smaller though as I'm getting to old to hang half out the saddle to open gates :)
 
I have a 13.2hh, 6yr old connemara mare who I bought as a project but after seeing this thread im wondering that when I get her out of her rearing and she comes right whether she'd be okay for me to enjoy for a bit? Think I'd be too big for her to be my pony though. What do you all think? Shes 13.2hh and tyical connemara built(not very chunky) and I'm 5ft5, and just under 10st although I aim to get back to 9st. Am I too heavy for her to hack out fast/jump etc?
 
I am SOOOOOOO glad to see this post! I am coming up to my 25th birthday but I am only 5ft and at 7st 10 I have *almost* always ridden ponies! I have ridden everything from 13hh natives to 16.1hh warmbloods and always gone running back to the ponies. Their personality and versatility are just enchanting. They may be cheeky at times but I have to say I have always felt far safer on ponies, however naughty they are than any of the horses I have ridden! I have recently bought a 6yr old connamara x tb and wouldn't change her for the world.

I am so excited to find out just how far she could go in the competition sphere (she has the most tremendous paces and a brilliant jump!) but I am a little disheartened to see the lack of *high level* competition e.g. World equestrian games etc for adult riders of ponies. Can anyone educate me? What competitions can I ultimately aspire to? If I got her to PSG/Inter I dressage level would I be taken seriously?

If any Olympic selectors are reading..... please enlighten me as to why we don't see any ponies competing!!!
 
sghc88 said:
Can anyone educate me? What competitions can I ultimately aspire to? If I got her to PSG/Inter I dressage level would I be taken seriously?

If any Olympic selectors are reading..... please enlighten me as to why we don't see any ponies competing!!!
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You could always do TREC. There's a lot of adults competing successfully on ponies there.
 
I thought that I was too big and heavy for a pony until I rode a highland (fiord, hafflinger or any chunky could be fitted in here) but they are super My son is a novice rider and has the odd pootle around on Hazel she carries him fine he is about 5.8 and a lot heavier than 13 stone he doesnt look tall on her
 
As much as I LOVE hacking (I hack twice a week if I can to vary the 6yr olds experience as she's VERY green) TREC isn't my bag. I am not one for showing either. I would be happy to event, jump or dressage but sadly the classes for ponies seem a little scarce :-(
I have done mainly dressage so far, as they distinguish more by rider's age than pony/horse but even then I cannot dull the niggle at the back of my mind that putting my connie against a very well bred warmblood isn't going to come out well!
 
sghc88 said:
but even then I cannot dull the niggle at the back of my mind that putting my connie against a very well bred warmblood isn't going to come out well!
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You would be surprised! I have seen shetland ponies tanning the backsides of these big fancy ancy things that prance and dance - they just obviously didn't do it as correctly as the shetland!
 
SarahRicoh said:
I have a 13.2hh, 6yr old connemara mare who I bought as a project but after seeing this thread im wondering that when I get her out of her rearing and she comes right whether she'd be okay for me to enjoy for a bit? Think I'd be too big for her to be my pony though. What do you all think? Shes 13.2hh and tyical connemara built(not very chunky) and I'm 5ft5, and just under 10st although I aim to get back to 9st. Am I too heavy for her to hack out fast/jump etc?
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You will be absolutely fine! I wouldn't bat an eyelid at getting on a 13.2h and I'm 5ft8, 9st4lbs ish - Even at 10st2lbs (my heaviest whilst at Uni) I was still SJ over big courses on a 13.1h, and winning!
 
sghc88 said:
As much as I LOVE hacking (I hack twice a week if I can to vary the 6yr olds experience as she's VERY green) TREC isn't my bag. I am not one for showing either. I would be happy to event, jump or dressage but sadly the classes for ponies seem a little scarce :-(
I have done mainly dressage so far, as they distinguish more by rider's age than pony/horse but even then I cannot dull the niggle at the back of my mind that putting my connie against a very well bred warmblood isn't going to come out well!
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If over 142/3cm (can't remember which) then you can BE, to any level as far as I am aware. Theodore O'Connor was PB Shetland - and 14.1hh, yet had top 6 placings at FEI **** and double gold at the Pan Am games.

You can compete under BD rules with ponies but seem to think that FEI excludes ponies from adult comps.

BS you can also compete as an adult on ponies. There are a fair few out doing 1.20 and up!
 
sghc88 said:
I am so excited to find out just how far she could go in the competition sphere (she has the most tremendous paces and a brilliant jump!) but I am a little disheartened to see the lack of *high level* competition e.g. World equestrian games etc for adult riders of ponies. Can anyone educate me? What competitions can I ultimately aspire to? If I got her to PSG/Inter I dressage level would I be taken seriously?
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I think the FEI state a minimum height of 148cm for horses on the international circuit.

Nothing stopping you going as high as you can on the national circuit - to Inter I/II, PSG or GP...
 
I agree AKW!!!! I KNOW she has amazing paces and is stunning when she moves but I worry that some judges could be a little set in their ways...... if I was against other ponies in the 'junior' section maybe but at 25 I can't enter as a junior sadly :-(
Thank you ALL for all your ideas :-) ooooo the BE and showjumping sound a great avenues to explore!! I will let you know how we get on!
 
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sghc88 said:
I am SOOOOOOO glad to see this post! I am coming up to my 25th birthday but I am only 5ft and at 7st 10 I have *almost* always ridden ponies! I have ridden everything from 13hh natives to 16.1hh warmbloods and always gone running back to the ponies. Their personality and versatility are just enchanting. They may be cheeky at times but I have to say I have always felt far safer on ponies, however naughty they are than any of the horses I have ridden! I have recently bought a 6yr old connamara x tb and wouldn't change her for the world.

I am so excited to find out just how far she could go in the competition sphere (she has the most tremendous paces and a brilliant jump!) but I am a little disheartened to see the lack of *high level* competition e.g. World equestrian games etc for adult riders of ponies. Can anyone educate me? What competitions can I ultimately aspire to? If I got her to PSG/Inter I dressage level would I be taken seriously?

If any Olympic selectors are reading..... please enlighten me as to why we don't see any ponies competing!!!
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You can BE, BD, and BS with her and do all the RC areas and nationals if you qualify and any thing run by PC. At the lower levels BE you wouldnt look out of place at all, theres loads of connie types pinging round having a great time, I dont know so much about BS or BD.

You wouldnt be able to do the pony 1*'s though as your too old but deffinatly no reason not to aim for novice. I'm planning on seeing how far I can get my 14.2, the only thing is the striding becomes more difficult as the jumps get bigger.

rhino said:
If over 142/3cm (can't remember which) then you can BE, to any level as far as I am aware. Theodore O'Connor was PB Shetland - and 14.1hh, yet had top 6 placings at FEI **** and double gold at the Pan Am games.

You can compete under BD rules with ponies but seem to think that FEI excludes ponies from adult comps.

BS you can also compete as an adult on ponies. There are a fair few out doing 1.20 and up!
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I dont think any thing 14.2 or under can go above novice BE. I seem to remember having a quick read and noticing it, which would explain why little tiger is officially 15hh.
 
metalmare said:
Ah, a stunning highland, too. See, on one thread we have found beautiful haflingers, icelandics and highlands and this is the beauty of ponies... I'll have one of each, please :-)
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I agree! Lovely pictures of your superb ponies, it's made me think perhaps I could get one for my next, as at 5ft 5 and just over 8 stone, i reckon I could have a lot of fun, I know lots of lovely ladies who hunt on ponies and overtake many horses.
 
I endurance ride and of course Arabians are the horse of choice and are not known for being tall.

I'm 5'10" and currently ride 14.3 hh (maybe), we ride at 80 kg and 80 km is no problem.

I find as I'm getting less supple in my old age, that leaping on and off for gates is a bit of a trial, so quite liking my horses to be closer to the ground :)
 
ooh I love a good pony! soooo much fun! haven't got piccys of all the ones at my old RS that I rode, but here are a few (I'm 5'9 and 9st8)

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Yep I've got shorts on!!
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(me on left)
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